Association between shift work and brain age gap: a neuroimaging study using MRI-based brain age prediction algorithms.

Background: Shift work is increasingly common and associated with numerous adverse health effects. Although studies show that shift work affects brain structure and neurological stress, its direct impact on brain aging remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the association between shift work and brain aging using the brain age gap (BAG)-a neuroimaging biomarker calculated by comparing predicted brain age derived from structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to chronological age.

Methods: Structural MRI data (T1-weighted and T2-weighted) were collected from 113 healthcare workers, including 33 shift workers and 80 fixed daytime workers. Brain age was estimated using seven validated machine learning models. BAG was calculated as the difference between predicted brain age and chronological age. Statistical analyses, including ANCOVA, adjusted for chronological age, sex, intracranial volume (ICV), education level, and occupational type.

Results: The association between BAG and shift work duration was also evaluated. Model performance varied (maximum R² = 0.79) and showed systematic age-related bias, typically underestimating brain age in older participants. Unadjusted analyses initially indicated lower BAG values in younger shift workers. However, after covariate adjustments, shift workers consistently exhibited significantly higher BAG values, suggesting accelerated brain aging. Two models retained statistical significance despite adjustment for potential confounders. Longer shift work duration correlated with a decreasing BAG trend, suggesting potential neuroadaptive changes or selective retention of resilient workers.

Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that shift work is associated with accelerated apparent brain aging, even after controlling for systematic model bias and demographic covariates. The observed reduction in BAG with extended shift work exposure may reflect adaptive or selective effects, emphasizing the need for longitudinal studies to clarify these mechanisms. This research highlights the importance of incorporating occupational exposures in neuroimaging and brain health investigations.